Today there are many fresh food brands on the market that have less processing and more nutrients than dry or canned foods. These are a great type of food to consider for your cat. The downside to these foods is that their shelf life is much shorter and they tend to cost more overall.<\/p>\n

Weight control<\/p>\n

If your cat is on the chubby side, it may be time to consider diet cat food. At the very least, read the label of your cat\u2019s current food and see if there is a lower calorie option out there. The rule of thumb for the average indoor cat is 20 calories per pound per day to maintain a healthy weight. Cats who lead an outdoor or partially outdoor lifestyle can have up to 35 calories per pound of body weight each day.<\/p>\n

Cats are nibblers and tend to eat small amounts all day, so counting calories can be difficult. As your cat is not a good judge of how many calories they eat, you have to step in and do the counting for them if you want them to stay at a healthy weight.<\/p>\n

Seniors<\/p>\n

As they age, some cats lose their appetite or become over weight. By the time your cat is twelve, they are the same physical age as a 64-year-old human or a senior cat. In your cat\u2019s senior years, it isn\u2019t always appropriate to keep feeding the same food.<\/p>\n

Senior cats who are overweight may need you to weigh their food or get them diet food, as previously mentioned. Senior cats may suffer from health problems that can also signal that a change in their diet is needed. Health problems such as diabetes or kidney disease may require a different diet or even a diet supplement.<\/p>\n

As with any change in your pet\u2019s diet, as they get older, consult your veterinarian for any recommendations on diet changes or the addition of vitamins and supplements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Making sure your cat\u2019s diet will keep them healthy and happy. Keeping your cat at an ideal weight will make sure they have a long life. Your cat\u2019s breed, size and age are all factors that determine their best diet. Here are some tips to make sure you are giving your cat the best diet possible. Nutritional needs Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. Their bodies need certain proteins found in meat for them to be healthy. Without these meat-based proteins, your cat could become very sick or even lose their sight. Cats cannot live a vegetarian lifestyle, nor <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28064,"featured_media":11109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4046],"tags":[114,2550],"yoast_head":"\n